Nesconset, NY

Nesconset's earliest occupants were a group of Algonquian-speaking Native Americans; the name of the district actually comes from an Algonquian word meaning "second crossing." After World War II, the community diminished; however, a housing boom to accommodate veterans in the 1950s revived the area. By the 1970s, home buyers flocked to the hamlet, attracted by its well-regarded landscape, housing, shops and school system.

Nearby Stony Brook holds the Long Island Museum, presenting galleries of both history and art. Nesconset hosts an annual Crafts Fair at the Gazebo in the Park. At this all-day event, food vendors, craft merchants, children's games, pony rides and live music help delight and entertain participants in this community-building event.

Nesconset's selection of upscale and casual restaurants fits the dynamic yet relaxed nature of life and business in the hamlet, with terrific eateries sometimes showing up in deceptive locations such as strip malls or busy shopping centers.

Stop by Maria's to find out why this local gem holds the title of #1 Latin restaurant from Bethpage Best of Long Island Press. For sophisticated Mexican and Latin cuisine, start off your meal with goat cheese and pear flatbread or pork belly tacos. Try one of the award-winning mojitos with roasted butternut squash soup or Ropa Vieja, a Cuban dish of shredded beef and green plantains with black beans and rice. Fried ice cream or strawberry margarita pie are the perfect desserts to finish off an unapologetically indulgent meal.

Akropolis Restaurant on Smithtown Boulevard has been dishing out authentic Greek cuisine to its frequent guests for years. Regulars at the restaurant highly recommend the gyros, which many call the best in Long Island, as well as the Greek salads, moussaka, complimentary pita and hummus. Additionally, Akropolis features attentive service and reasonably priced wines, making this the premier spot for Greek food in Nesconset.

Though Nesconset's nightlife is mainly limited to a couple of local bars, its location near the hamlets of Smithtown, Lake Ronkonkoma and Hauppage means there are plenty of accessible options around town. In Nesconset, Becket's Pub makes for a nice, local dive bar with an overall positive environment. The bar doesn't serve food, but you can bring in your own or go to the good Italian restaurant next door. The bar has a decent selection of drinks on tap, plus pool tables, darts, a jukebox and Wi-Fi.

Locals in Nesconset tend to use their cars to commute and travel about the hamlet, and the abundant public parking helps make this possible.Route 347 passes through Nesconset and serves as a connection to Port Jefferson to the northeast, and a means to reach the Northern State Parkway, a main Long Island thoroughfare, to the southwest. The Long Island Expressway, also known as State Route 25, another main commuter route, lies to the south of Nesconset. While some major roads contain bike lanes, only the local streets are truly safe to ride and walk along.

A number of public transportation options are available in Nesconset as well. Three Suffolk County Transit bus routes come through Nesconset, and residents can easily access the Smithtown Station of the Long Island Railroad. The nearest airport to Nesconset, the Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, serves air travel needs in central Long Island. Taxi services include Eco Taxi, Lindy's Taxi and Uber.

Nesconset residents enjoy many outdoor parks. Armory Park makes a great place to bring the family for free. A paved trail exists for joggers, walkers and bikers, with a dog trail for your pet. On the lawn area, lacrosse nets are set up for use by the public, and football posts are also planted during the season. A kids' playground, a small skate park and tennis courts complete the well-rounded park.

The Lily Pond County Park, a hiking park, remains a hidden gem in the area. The twisting paths and bountiful brush lend it a secluded feel. Many side paths lead to the pond, where you may occasionally find someone fishing. Delicate lily pads dot the aptly named lily pond, and the many gorgeous views simply must be seen. The solitude makes this a great place to walk, explore and reflect amidst a slice of nature all to yourself.

The community-centric Nesconset Chamber of Commerce throws events throughout the year. The annual 5K Race attracts a large group of participants from far and wide to run and raise money for local families in need. Come to the annual Casino Night to play blackjack, craps and roulette. At the end of the night,you can convert your chips into raffle tickets for the chance to win great prizes.

Central Long Island tends to be a pricey place to live, and the cost of living in Nesconset only runs 1 percent less expensive than that of nearby Smithtown, thanks to very slightly less expensive housing costs. Expect to pay on average about $1,300 a month in rent for a one-bedroom residence in Nesconset.

Nesconset and Smithtown are on par in terms of daily living costs such as groceries, utilities, transportation and health care. Suffolk County Transit buses only charge you $2 to travel to surrounding towns. If you want to drive, gas prices in Nesconset are a moderate 11 percent steeper than national averages. A beer at a local pub should run you about $5 to $6.

The major shopping areas in Nesconset are along Middle Country Road and Smithtown Boulevard and in shopping centers such as Nesconset Plaza. These centers of commerce provide Nesconset residents with all of their purchasing needs, including clothing.

Rose's Bridal Boutique on Smithtown Boulevard sells designer brand dresses, communion dresses, veils and headpieces. Additional bridal accessories to complement your dress are available for any kind of affair and at any budget. Shoppers can choose from a number of designer jewelry pieces as well at this boutique.

Mimi's Closet on Smithtown Boulevard sells new women's upscale designer clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories. The store also functions as a consignment shop, selling gently used items, featuring only upscale and in-season fashion.

The main grocery store in Nesconset is Handy Pantry on Smithtown Boulevard. The Nesconset Farmers Market comes to town from June through November, featuring Long Island-grown vegetables, fruit, plants and flowers, as well as poultry, eggs, cheeses and fish. Open Saturdays only, the market's diverse food selection allows customers to shop fresh while supporting local farms.